a Mixed-Methods Study on Use of Different Tobacco Products among Younger and Older adults with Lower and higher Levels of Nicotine Exposure in California in 2019-2020.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of a mixed-methods study examining experiences with tobacco products among individuals with relatively lower or higher levels of biomarkers of nicotine exposure. The study focuses on younger and older adults who use different tobacco products and aims to understand their tobacco use behaviors, addiction to tobacco products, and nicotine effects.

Key Points:

* The study conducted semi-structured interviews with younger and older adults who were current, past 30-day users of at least two tobacco products.
* Participants provided urine samples that were tested for levels of nicotine and several of its metabolites to estimate recent exposure to nicotine.
* The study found that addiction narratives, perceptions of products, and motivations for product use differed based on levels of nicotine exposure.
* The study also found that some products were associated with differences in addiction narratives and that younger and older adults may differ in the types of tobacco products they use and their motivations for using these products.
* The study highlights the importance of assessing the impact of new tobacco products on users, particularly motivations to use and associated experiences, to better understand the effects of new products on nicotine exposure, dependence, and disease risk.
* The study also notes the difficulty in tracking and quantifying nicotine intake among this population using self-report measures due to the lack of a standard equivalency for different types of tobacco products.
* Biomarkers of nicotine exposure were used to compare individuals who use different types of tobacco products as a function of nicotine exposure.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of understanding the impact of new tobacco products on users' experiences, motivations, nicotine exposure, dependence, and disease risk. With the increasing use of multiple tobacco products, it is necessary to assess how these products affect users and their tobacco use behaviors. The study also emphasizes the utility of biomarkers of nicotine exposure in comparing nicotine intake among individuals who use different types of tobacco products. Overall, the study underscores the need for continued research and regulation of tobacco products to protect public health.

harvanko a, Koester Ka, helen GS, Olson S, Kim hC, Ling PM. a Mixed-Methods Study on Use of Different Tobacco Products among Younger and Older adults with Lower and higher Levels of Nicotine Exposure in California in 2019-2020. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2022;19(9). doi:10.3390/ijerph19095563